Metal on Metal [WW1 Steam/Diesel Punk] IC(OPEN)

[Atheris]

Danske Straits / Østersøen, Danmark, 1914
Danish Straights / Baltic Sea, Denmark, 1914


Germany had invaded Russia. Denmark was obliged to defend her ally.

Danish steamships blockaded the Baltic Sea to any Central Powers fleets, including Sweden, who she had signed a non-aggression pact with, ironically. Only Entente ships were to pass. Ships also attempted to attack the Kiel Canal, with ships steaming into the canal and attacking any crews stationed in the area. Soldiers on the ships landed on the grounds around the Canal, and slowly advanced towards it. If Denmark could take control of this canal, it would blockade any Central Powers attempts to get into the Baltic Sea, and possibly even break the siege on St. Petersburg.

Danish troops left their ships and advanced on German soil, shooting at the Kaiserreich's soldiers and fighting fervently for the Canal. A Danish ship exploded in the Canal, doing some damage to the outside portions.

In the straits, the going was much smoother. Not many ships had been sighted, and all the straits on the Swedish-Danish border have been completely blockaded by the Danes. Denmark's latest model, the Kejser af Danmark (picture), steamed towards St. Petersburg with her other ships. It was time for Denmark to show her strength.

[Zexania]

Grozny has fallen in this rate ottomans well finish the caucasus in only 2 months this cant be!
An offensive was ordered 600,000 men attack the front hoping to take sochi after weeks of artillery bombardment
Another force of 200,000 men well attempt to break the seige at makhachlala they have already engaged the enemy .the120,000 defenders are holding but supplies are running quick on the main front thousands of shells are fired the mid caucasus front well be assaulted by the remaining 680,000 men the plan was to retake grozny push in and split the armies to two each army well surrond ottoman troops in the east and one in the west this well lay the way to anatolia open!
Lemberg has been conquered now its time to hold fortifacations were built all the way from the baltic to the romanian border artillery fires at incoming german walkers while machine gun placements rip through infantry the germans are pushed back
The fortifacations hold
The troops start to dig in

[Valtrona]

< STATUS UPDATE ON THE WAR >

Franco-Italian Front
Italian forces made minor gains in the main front. After fierce fighting, the Italians managed to secure the French city of Aix, and advance to the outskirts of Die. However, the main brunt of the offensive was to close the Toulon Pocket. The city of Draguignan swiftly fell to the Italians, and they reached the outskirts of Toulon. The cities of Hyères and La Seyne were conquered, and the Iles d’Hyères were taken by Italian marines. After much fighting, the demoralized French defenders surrendered the vital port city of Toulon to the Italians. The Italian High Command agreed to hold the current Frontlines, as the Italian Army was worn out from constant fighting and advancing. They began to construction on a defensive line in order to protect their gains in France.

Mediterranean Front
The last British troops has surrendered, and Malta is now under the occupation of the Italians. The harbor is significantly damaged, and will take 2 months before it can be fully operational. With the Fall of Malta, the Regia Marina now had effectively cut the Mediterranean in two, preventing the safe passage of Entente ships. In addition, the French defeat at Toulon saw the sinking of remaining French naval vessels in Toulon’s harbor. An Italian Fleet, commanded by Prince Luigi Amedeo, sails from Taranto to the Dodecanese islands to support the Ottoman invasion of Cyprus and the capture of the Suez Canal. The Fleet is comprised of of 3 Battleships, 5 Cruisers, and 5 Destroyers.

Africa Front
Italian forces advance further into French Algeria. They managed to seized the city of Philippville, and advance to the cities of Constantine, El Guerra, and Batna. Italian forces enter El Alamein, as fighting intensifies in the city. The new Hannibal-class Artillery, a prototype-class of super heavy artillery, begins shelling the city of Aden in British Yemen.

[Deutschess Kaiserreich]

5th High Seas fleet leaves port in retaliation to Dane war.

Kaiserreich ships having received news of the fleet heading to st. Petersburg through leaked transmissions and spies have sent the 5th High fleet to intercept it. The 5th fleet's scout and forward ships have intercepted the logistical tail off the cost off Latvia. The skirmish was fierce with ships getting incredibly close and there being reports of ramming. Shots were exchanged point blank with crew racing across the decks firing small arms at their foes. Ships continued to fire and fight as they listed, burned, and sank. Planes buzzed like gnats over the engagement strafing the ships whenever they could while clashing with the Danish royal airforce. They too, like the ships, sank to the sea as their engines burned, as their wings were plucked apart by lead, and as their piolets lay riddled with holes. Some ships were unlucky enough to have those descending planes smashings into the decks killing dozens. As the main force of the German 5th high seas fleet neared the remnants of Danish rear guard ships retreated, though, under very heavy fire.

---

With the Keil Kannal taken the Central powers had lost access to the Baltic sea though it would not be for long. Moltke looked at maps while his advisors and colleagues discussed what to do. The tent was in fervor with many naval officers demanding the channel be taken back as fast as possible but the Whermact argued that attacking Denmark would draw in another great power.

"We cannot afford to take on another front."

"Well, we cannot lose access to Denmark and allow them to control the Keil!"

"You want to fight the combined fleets of Britan, France, and Russia? Go and be my Guest!"

"That will be abandoning our Swedish allies. We are on the brink of taking St. Petersburg. Our forces have almost sealed the Warsaw Salient."

The argument seemed to die down as the door of the room opened and a man in a bright blue sailor uniform walked in with a paper in his hand. Moltke looked up from the maps as the man walked over to him, saluted, and handed Moltke the letter. As the sailor walked out of the door the men in the room crowded around Moltke as he read aloud the telegram in his hand.

5th High Fleet engaged with Danish fleet heading to peter. Forward cruiser and Scout ships attacked the rear guard. Victory but 3 scout gunships sunk, 1 cruiser sunk, 5 cruisers badly damaged. Danish losses unknown but high.

"They tried to directly aid the Russians. I authorize an offensive on the Canal.", Moltke announced to the crowd.

On Other fronts

[Germany sends 4th Infantry Brigade to Tunisia!]

[German troops near Warsaw!]

[Königsberg Fortified with 102th Infantry Division!]

[Troops massing on Danish Front!]

[Advisors and NCO's sent to Austrian front]

Map of the current German front

[Deutschess Kaiserreich]

Letter to the Japanese Foreign embassy in Berlin.

Your intentions to become a major power in Asia have been noted with most noticeably the Italians giving positions of their legations in China. Your ambitions, however, have come into conflict with the Kaiserreich's interests in Southeast Asia. You are also in the Entente but so far you have not entered a state of hostility with us. Therefore we propose a deal that will maintain that you will stay out the war if Hostility breaks out between the main member of the Entente. In return, Germany will limit their own ambitions to main Africa and allow you dominance over southeast Asia. We do ask that we maintain our ports in China and New Guinea to engage British colonies and basses in the area.

We thank you for considering this non-aggression pact and hope that the sun of Japan flies over southeast Asia.

Arthur Zimmermann, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

[Valtrona]

Rome, Italy
Pope Benedict XV looked outside of his house in the Vatican. He couldn’t believe that in such a short time Europe would devolve into another Continent-wide war. His own country, Italy, teaming up with the heretical Germans and the heathenish Ottomans to fight against fellow Catholics in France. Ever since his election on September 3, he remained silence about the issue. However, as the leader of the Catholic Church, he knew he must address the war at some point. He eventually scheduled a speech to be made in front of the King’s Palace in Rome.

He appeared at the stage, as tens of thousands of people gathered. As airships appeared flying across Rome he gave his speech. He declared the neutrality of the Holy See, and condemned the actions of the Italian government. Most notably the unprovoked invasion of France, and the use of mustard gas in Africa. He continued, saying the war as the “stake that will drive straight through the heart of Europe”. He was met with a thunderous applause from his audience, yet he secretly knew that his words had done nothing to end the conflict.

Pope Benedict XV leaves the stage, and meets with his fellow Bishops in Rome. “I plan on seeing the horrors this war has brought in person. I’m heading to the frontlines in Europe, to address our fellow Catholics and give them a sprinkle of hope. Don’t try and stop me, for I’m heading to my airship as of now.”

[The neo glactic empire]

The ottoman troops surronding the russia defenders prepaired to lay seige but then scouts came back with news of russian reinforcements seigeing no more the assualt shall begin 250,000 men push into the already destroyed city
Weeks of artillery and airships bombardments have reduced the city to rubble but it was not enough more bombardments started this time at the russian defenders
While 350,000 men secure the flanks of the surronding army making sure no ensirclments against ottoman troops happens
In sochi however things were bleak the 300,000 men defending abandon the city which was rubbles by this point due to heavy russian artillery the troops set up a defensive line in its southern outskirts
in istanbul the sultan approved of a new plan to defeat russia
The already devestated black sea towns and cities were not defended and the russian black sea navy was sunk early in the war ottoman fleets had complete air dominance in the region thus it began 50,00 men were paradropped at the crimean peninsula
30,00 landed at sevastopol while 20,00 landed in yalta
By the end of the week the entire peninsula fell under ottoman occupation after some light skirmishes with russian garrisons that were still there
In africa the ottoman armies advance into badawali lake
The entire sinai penninsula fell under ottoman occupation while in kuwait the seige continues this time with artilelry bombardment
In cyprus the ottoman troops consolidate their control over the edges of the island the troops march into the island capital supported by artillery and airships bombardment
The british defenders manahed to inflict severe casualties on the invaders but soon they were overwhelmed and now only the island capital remains outside of ottoman rule
And its currently being seiged.

[Atheris]

Danmark, 1914
Denmark, 1914

The Kiel Canal had been taken, along with a good majority of the properly Danish territories of Schleswig and Holstein!

Nationalists and royalists alike cheered when the Prime Minister gave his address on such a major victory, and without access through the Kiel, the German Atlantic Fleet will stay in the Atlantic.

Unbeknownst to the public, however, the fleet going to aid the siege of St. Petersburg was badly damaged, and the Emperor of Denmark was in bad shape. With the loss of most of her allies in the unexpected attack, Denmark could no longer continue to support St. Petersburg. The fight in the Baltics, however, was barely beginning.

Hundreds of thousands died in the attempt to take back Schleswig-Holstein and take Kiel, and hundreds died in the Baltic Sea, but it was a small price to pay. A spy misread the documents and told his friends back in Copenhagen the Germans thought it was the Dutch, but after careful re-evaluation and German ships literally on the maritime border, the spy was promptly given glasses.

---

Vandel, Danmark, 1914
Vandel, Denmark, 1914

The pilot nodded.

"Throttle up."

The bomb bay was loaded, the steam filled the fuel tanks, and the Danish flag flew true.

"Steaming towards Berlin."

[The Bananic]

Serbian Front
The towns of Valjevo and Smederevka Palanka fall with resistance from the army defending it about 10,000 casualties from both attacks. The army continues onwards to Nis. Taking the surrounding towns along the way.

Navy
A small fleet consisting of 7 destroyers goes to assist the Ottomans in the siege of Cyprus. The fleet surrounds as best as it can the Island of Cyprus to support the Ottomans. The fleet in Malta consisting of 2 dreadnoughts and 5 destroyers stays where they are awaiting further action. The fleet blockading Egypt consisting of 1 dreadnought and 5 pre-dreadnoughts and 3 destroyers continues to blockade the Suez and the Nile's mouth.

[Zexania]

in mahchkala the starving ill equipped troops demoralised and tired have surrendered to the ottoman armies
What makes it worse the ottomans have captured crimea
And the germans are at the doors of warsaw!
the generals made a plan in the eastern front warsaw well be fortfied and russian armies well attack eastern prussia
The 4th army well attack the german troops that are attempting to take warsaw
Bombardment of german positions started hundreds of thousand of shells fired the russia white bear heavy artillery was the best artillery the russians can offer this gigantic behemoth fired its explosive round at german armies near warsaw after devestating their defences 1 million men attacked them with the iron walls(steam punk anti infantry walkers) the german infantry was devestated and the white bear artillery units made quick work of german diese lpunk walkers they were after all easy targets
2 million men cross the border at eastern prussia after fighting local german garrisons bombardment started with thousands of artillery pieces
In the baltics the baltic fleet leaves port and heads to support the danish navy st.petersburg was safe for now the waters around it were heavily mined
Baltic fleet siz:
7 dreadnaughts
4 battleships
8 cruisers
12 destroyers
(The baltic fleet is russias strongest)
In austria the trenches are complete miles and miles of heavily fortfied trenches all across the border to the black sea each day thousands of artillery shells are fired at the austrian troops killing alot of them the generals hoped the trenches were also fortfied by barb wires and many machingun nests

In the caucasus the russuan army enters sochi after driving the ottomans outside the russian general at the caucasus orders a full offensive all across the cacasus and thus artillery began firing at ottoman positions and the men readied for battle.

[Valtrona]

< STATUS UPDATE ON THE WAR >

Franco-Italian Front
No Changes on the Frontlines, an no reports of any incoming French counterattacks as of now. Italian forces continue constructing formidable defenses in the Alpine Mountains. Pope Benedict XV arrived at the ruined city of Grenoble, and addressed the Italian soldiers in the city. The site of the Pope endangering himself to meet with wounded soldiers boasted the moral of the Italians.

Mediterranean Front
Luigi Amedeo’s Fleet reaches the Dodecanese islands, as they dock in the port of Rhodes to refuel. They begin stocking up on fuel and ammunition’s to aid the Ottoman war effort against the British. With Malta secured, and the French Navy obliterated, the Italians achieved temporary naval supremacy in the Mediterranean. The Francesco Caracciolo was launched from Castellammare shipyard and pressed into service. The Four other ships, Cristoforo Colombo, Marcantonio Colonna, Francesco Morosini, and Amerigo Vespucci, are still under construction, and won’t be completed until the winter or spring of 1915. The Francesco Caracciolo was constructed as the largest and most powerful warship in the Regia Marina, and rivals many of the ships within the Royal Navy itself.

Africa Front
After fierce fighting, Italian forces took the cities of Constantine, El Guerra, Mila and Batna. The cities of El Oued and Guémar fell with little fighting. However, with British troops reinforcing the Front, future offensives will be much more costly. The battle for El Alamein continues, but the British defenders are getting worn down by unrelenting Italian attacks. Italian artillery continues to shell the British port city of Aden, in hopes of hammering reinforcements to Egypt via the Red Sea.

Image of the Francesco Caracciolo during its conception

[The neo glactic empire]

After 2 weeks and half of constant shelling the garrison at kuwait surredners and kuwat itslef has been captured
The sultan hoped that the capture of kuwait well cripple the british war effort by limiting their oil supply
1 million men have been recruited they were not turks but arabs the troops gather at the british-ottoman border in southern arabia and cross it supported by 3 air cruisers they aim for aden
In egypt ottoman artillery starts shelling red sea ports and cities.the ottoman start bombing campgains over cairo and alexandria itslef together with the support of the italian-austrian fleets egypt well fall soon.
In the caucasus ottoman troops enter the city of mahachkala after the russians surrendered however sochi was lost
The ottoman defences held against the invading russians all across the caucasus machine guns and airships caused high casualties for the russian defenders but the ottoman armies were damaged so far out of the 1.6million men in the cacasus 500,000 were killed or wounded and unfit for battle
The ottoman generals developed a new plan to envelope all russian armies in the cacasus and threaten ukraine itslef

[Deutschess Kaiserreich]

Berlin never expected the attack. People strolled down the streets walking to work, Butchers yelled out that new stock was on the shelves, Children played ball, and vendors proposed to the crowd miraculous new technologies and medicines (most of which were fakes). The flag of the German empire swung high in the heavy wind from the sides of the buildings with the Imperial eagle at its center crying out German supremacy. When the airships were first spotted by a farmer tending to his crops, the police didn't believe him. How could the weak Danes who had expended thousands of lives to advance a mile or two dares to strike at the heart of the Kaiserreich? The farmer was laughed out of the station and later out of the nearby army barracks. They would regret their arrogance...

Children came out of their houses to look at blimps as the slowly advanced on Berlin. Crowds gathered in the open in amazement not realizing the danger. The army took little notice as they assumed it was the Kaiserreich's airships. After all, how could their foes strike Berlin, the heart of the Kaiserreich? Massive forts dotted the perimeter and the most elite of the German Imperial guard and Home army were garrisoned there. It would be suicidal to attack it...

The alert was only sounded when an air marshall was staggering his way out of his pub. He looked up to see the unfamiliar shape of the airships as they slowly drifted above the outskirts of Berlin. Fighting back the fact he was inhibited by the jugs of Beer he had chugged down he staggered down the street to find to soldiers at a checkpoint just staring at the airships. He barely managed to make the words leave his mouth in a decipherable way.

"those asrn'et our aiehrsips yuo fool! those are our foes... wafrn air hand berlgin mcommand that those axre not ours!"

The soldiers moved fast as they raced into the security booth on the side of the road. They seized a handle and began to crank it as fast as possible. A terrible wail filled the streets like a banshee and when anybody heard it they raced to the nearest shelter they could find. Then there was another wail and then the bright flower of flames emerged in the square. Men, women, and children screamed for their lives as more bombs descended onto the city but they were not unopposed. Searchlights opened up cleaving white light through the darkening evening sky. The sounds of distant guns could be heard and the black clouds of flak appeared next to the airships ripping through the thin metal shell. But despite this, every gun on the airships rained down on Berlin cutting down anyone exposed. Buildings were shattered by bombs the size of carriages and the gutters were filled with blood. Rubble smashed into the streets and sometimes filling in craters. People were buried alive or burned alive trapped inside their homes. The German Imperial airforce had now mobilized and the Danes launched their own planes from their airships. They charged each other like knights off old riddling each other with lead or simply just ramming into them. But there were too many German planes...

Bismark class Air cruiser

Motti barely dodged the defensive fire of the blimps as they neared closer and closer to the center of Berlin. He heard the whizzing sound of bullets miss him but he also heard the sound of bullets smashing into his plane. The engine gutted smoke and coughed like an old man who had smoked for most of his life. Smoke was stinging his eyes and he couldn't see. Swearing he ordered his tail gunner to try to fix the engine while Motti manned the back turret. They hanged to swap in time as Motti could see a Danish plane lit up by the searchlights below approaching him like a predatory eagle. Motti squeezed the trigger and the Danish plane veered off but it was too late. The plane detonated in a bright ball of flames illuminating an airship that Motti had not seen before. The airship now spotted him and its defensive arms began to sing. Explosions shook the plane, rattling it like a child. The plane veered wildly disappearing into one of the many low lying clouds of fog now drifting into a burning Berlin.

Wilhelm class airship battles it out over Berlin

"That was too close George," Motti spoke but received no reply. He turned back to see the shattered body of George. Blood poured from the many bullets and shrapnel that had passed him. Motti was lucky that he was not injured but felt sorrow as he watched his rear gunner slowly slip from life. But despite his death, the gunner had fixed the engine and it ran almost as smoothly as the day it left the production line. Motti clambered back into his seat moving George to the rear of the plane. He had served his nation and Motti would make sure that those that had served the Kaiser and died in his service at least be given an honorable burial.

The plane emerged from the cloud revealing a burning airship descending down on Berlin and it's streets. Motti veered away from the burning hulk and witnessed distant shapes emerge from the fog. It was famous or infamous air cruisers of the Kaiserreich. The battle was won but the question would be at what cost. The Danish did not spot the ships before it was too late and the air cruisers fired volley after volley into the Danish airships. The barrels of the air cruiser's massive guns turned red with rapid shot and so did the hull of the Danish airships as their insides cooked like an oven. Motti spotted a Danish airship that was getting ready to broadside an unsuspecting air cruiser. He turned his plane towards the airship and braved the flak that detonated around him. He pulled the trigger on the tip of his control lever and unleashed a fury of bullets into the command tower of the Danish airship. The exploded in brilliant fashion and Motti swerved away avoiding the tendrils of flame that tried to lick his plane. The air cruiser now saw the airship and let loose a volley of the Kaiserreichs most majestic weapons. It ripped the airship apart like a child ripping a grasshopper apart. Once the Kaiserriech had defeated the airship it tossed its broken body down to the earth. Motti dodged a line of bullet fire as he strafed another airship but this time he felt a bullet rip across his chest. He tried to take a breath but he couldn't. He saw the darkening skies of Berlin as he slumped over the controls, his blood pooling all over the floor. The last thing he saw before darkness claimed him was the pitch black waters of the Spree.

German losses

12,300 civilians killed or wounded

120 Imperial guard killed or wounded

43 planes downed and 29 pilots killed or wounded

2 Bismark class air cruisers damaged.

"They bombed us." The Kaiser sighed while the nurse tended to the cut on his forehead. He sucked in air from his lips as the nurse began to apply alcohol to it. He shouldn't have stood so close to the window. That wouldn't happen again. "How many people were hurt?"

"Thousands. We are still trying to put out some fires in the downtown area."

"We were complicit. That won't happen again. I want us to be alert in all German cities. They may be far from the front lines but in a war like this, they have a front of their own."

"Yes, sir."

"I want you to inform Richthofen to mobilize the air corps."

"For what."

"To destroy Copenhagen. We will avenge Berlin! Order Moltke to launch an offensive with the forty-third armor corp. I also want an entire offensive to counter the Russians advance on Konigsburg using all our armor with heavy air and artillery support."

"Yes, sir!"

"If possible I want you to send some air volunteers to Italy. Under their command. But do not let them engage French and British forces if possible. We do not need a two-front war."

"Anything else sir?"

"Tell Zimmerman to condemn the Belgians for their so-called "Neutrality"." He used air quotes on the last one. "That's it for tonight. Actually, change my schedule for the morning. I want to help out with rescue efforts. Will be great for propaganda."

"I will sir."

"Good night, Adolf."

"Good night, sir."

Updates on other fronts

Caucasus front

100,000 elite troops of the 4th mountaineering corps have been sent to the Caucasus to assist in the Ottoman front.

African front

70 planes and one Bismark class air cruiser have been sent to assist in the African front but are to act as an air garrison and only engage French and British forces if fired upon first.

[The neo glactic empire]

The sultan grabbed the newspaper and read its head lines
thousands of civillians dead in berlin after bombing

danish fleets bombing the heart of german
Immediatly after this the sultan sent a telegram to the kaiser

to: kaiser welhilm II kaiser of germany
From: sultan mustafa kemal of the ottoman empire

We are terribly sorry for your looses and we condem the actions of the danes as barbaric and brutal targeting civillians!what were they thinking may god have his mercy on the dead
Best regards
Mustafa

[Valtrona]

[TELEGRAM FROM THE HOLY SEE]

TO: Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany
FROM: Pope Benedict XV

Even though our nations may view God in a different light, I wish your people the best of luck. The Holy See condemns the barbaric actions of the Danes, and has ordered the excommunication of all those participating in the attack. May God be on your side in these tough times.

Sincerely, Pope Benedict XV

[TELEGRAM FROM ROME]

TO: Kaiser Wilhelm II
FROM: King Victor Emmanuel III

We give our most sincere apologies for the victims of the attack. In war, civilians should be left out of the death and destruction as much as possible. What the Danish did was too horrific for this new warfare. Italy grieves for the victims, and will give their families out prayers.

Sincerely, King Victor Emmanuel III

[Atheris]

København, Danmarks Hovedstad, 1914
Copenhagen, Capital City of Denmark, 1914

"What the hell?!"

Christian and Carl Theodor were both equally fuming; Christian moreso. The head of the air force swore he could see the smoke fuming out of the King's ears.

"You directly attacked civilian targets!"

"My lord, we did no such thing!"

"You did no such thing? I heard the reports for myself! You and your men shot down families running ON THE STREETS!"

"Those? Those were... acceptable casualties!"

"Acceptable casualties? THIS IS A WAR CRIME! YOU WERE TOLD TO ATTACK INFASTRUCTURE AND INDUSTRY, THE HEARTS OF THE GERMAN WAR MACHINE, BUT NO, YOU DECIDED TO ATTACK INNOCENTS ON THE STREET!"

"Prime Minster! Calm down."

Zale blinked, then exhaled.

"Apologies, Your Highness."

The head of the air force sighed.

"Now, regarding these... barbaric acts," the King continued, putting on his reading glasses.

"Why did you do them?"

"We... wished to strike fear in the hearts of the Kaiserreich, Your Highness."

"Sure, you did that. But you also struck fear into the hearts of every country. We're being seen as barbarians! Because you decided not to follow orders."

"We followed our orders, Your Hi-"

"Silence."

The head swallowed.

"I'll expect your resignation. Now."

"You-"

"I said NOW."

"... Fine."

The Head put his papers on the desk, and walked out of the room.

"Prepare a telegram."

TO: KAISER WILHELM II, GERMAN EMPEROR, KING OF PRUSSIA
FROM: KING CHRISTIAN X, KING OF THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK

Dear Kaiser Wilhelm,

We deeply apologize for the unprovoked civilian massacres on the streets of Berlin. All that have been held accountable, including various pilots, Head of the Air Force, and others that can not be named.

We deeply apologize, and once this dreadful war ends, we would like to meet as soon as possible with His Highness.

Again, with apologies,

King Christian X

The King makes a public statement that day.

"...those held accountable for the massacres against unprovoked citizen targets have been punished, stripped of all titles, and imprisoned. This was not our intent. We extend our deepest sympathies to all families of those affected, including the German Emperor himself, Wilhelm II..."

The attacks would be forever remembered in Denmark as Black Tuesday.

The king wrote telegrams and telegraphs to allies and belligerents alike, fervently apologizing and extending sympathies. The King repeated that this wasn't their intent.

He doubted it had any affects on those affected.

[Clarcia]

Denmark

Near the Kiel canal, the Royal Navy began to unload the British forces. Currently, 100,000 were deployed to the front along with small mechanized vehicles to assist with building fortifications along with placing explosives all around the Kiel canal. If it was lost, they would deny the Central Powers access to the Atlantic and Baltic at all costs.

Meanwhile, half of the North Sea fleet steamed through the canal and into the Baltic Sea with a small convoy of supply ships to relieve the Russians. After unloading the supplies in Latvia, the fleet was to use heir airship support to sink the Swedish fleet and lift the naval blockade.

Message to King Christian

Your Highness,

In the future, we implore you to at least let us know before you decide to LEVEL MULITPLE CITY BLOCKS OF CIVILLIANS! We don’t plan on allowing such an action go unpunished next time.

H. H Asquith

Outside Rhodes

It was time. British intelligence indicated that a large Italian fleet had arrived in Rhodes to assist Ottoman operations. While the Suez was now protected by over 3 km of massive trench lines, the Italian Navy still posed a threat. Now, 6 dreadgnauts, 10 battleships, 15 cruisers and 25 destroyers started opening fire on the fleets. 5 airships floated overhead and prepared to defend the fleet from a counterattack. He Mediterranean would be decided here. It was now or never. After this, this fleet would be sent to break the siege of Cypress.



Libya

Finally, it was time. The British started to open fire on Italian positions with artillery. The 100,000 soldiers on the front began to prepare their advance.

[The Bananic]

Krakow, Austria-Hungary
With Russia busy with Germany the military specialists in Krakow thought now was time to take back Lemberg and push the Russians back. All across the border under the cover of night, the artillery bombards the trenches the Russians dug as the Austro-Hungarian army surges across the neutral zone. Some in a concentrated plan of attack by the specialists, manage to overrun the Russians with the aid of tanks and take the trenches on the border. From there they start traveling to Lemberg. To decimate the Russian Army there.

A Brasov Mk II tank

[Valtrona]

< STATUS UPDATE ON THE WAR >

Franco-Italian Front
Italian forces resume the offensive. The city of Chambéry fell after fierce fighting in the city. The cites of Apt and Die also surrendered after a concentrated assault. The Italians advanced until a combined Franco-British defense managed to hold off the Italians in the city of Carpentras. The Italian High Command agreed to halt the offensive and construct new trench lines in the newly conquered territories.

Mediterranean Front
Prince Luigi Amedeo looks out from his capital ship, a massive British Fleet has appeared just as the Italian Fleet was leaving port. Amedeo orders the Fleet’s destroyers and cruisers to engage the British to act as a smokescreen for the Battleships to escape. “It’s risky, but it’s the best chance we’ve got!” The destroyers are the first to fire, launching torpedos at the incoming ships. The torpedoes hit 1 destroyer, sinking it immediately While another destroyer and cruiser were damaged. The Italians launched a barrage of fire onto the fleet, sinking another destroyer and further damaging 2 cruisers. The British returned fire, sinking 2 destroyers and 1 cruiser in the barrage. The smoke was so thick, that ships couldn’t tell each other apart. Sometime during the battle, the HMS Indomitable was sunk. It’s reported that the Italian heavy cruiser Elba rammed the crippled Battleship. The battle only lasted 3 hours.

Once the smoke cleared, the battle was over. The Battle of Rhodes devastated the Italian Fleet, sinking 5 cruisers and 4 destroyers. The 3 Italian Battleships, escaped the battle with minimal damage. The Italian destroyer Antonio Vivaldi managed to escape the bloodshed after the sinking of the HMS Indomitable. The Antonio Vivaldi, badly damaged, managed to flee to the neutral port of Heraklion for repairs. The British also suffered extensive damage. They lost the Battleship HMS Indomitable, 3 destroyers, and 2 cruisers. Other ships sustained minimal damage, but the British Mediterranean Fleet remained intact. Both sides agreed it was a British victory, yet the Italian Regia Marina still posed a threat to the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean. The Battle of the Mediterranean has just begun.

Africa Front
With the British amassing troops along the Libyan border, the Italians turn their attention to the east. The Battle of El Alamein is still raging on, as British reinforcements arrive to relieve the worn defenders. In East Africa, Italian forces capture the town of Kassala and advance into British Sudan. Italians begin bombarding British Kenya from across the Jubba River in Somalia. Italians stop the shelling of Aden, and wait for the Ottomans to assault the city.

[The neo glactic empire]

With the fall of kuawit 500,000 soldier well be relocated to the cacasus the airfleet above kuwair relocates egypt to support the offensive there ottoman troops have stopped for now but bombardment resumed cairo and alexandria were very devestated by artillery shells the suez itself was also under heavy bombardment the british forces were being constantly bombarded in the caucasus the russia offensive continues but the defending trenches held on and the russian casualties sky rocketed.
In egypt the sinai is fortfied AA guns flak guns machine guns and barb wires were built and the ottoman levant fleet starts bombarding the british troops.
In cyprus firece fighting in the island capital but in the end the ottoman army captured the island.
In istanbul the shiekh al islam has declared jihad against the biriths and russian thousands flock to join the army it was time to free their brothers.

[Zexania]

The offrnsive at eastern prussia was going smooth koningsberg is now being shelled.in lemberg auatrian armies were pushed back by heavy machine gun fire the austrian walkers were easy targets the artillery shells burned through them in the caucasus the offensive was called off after no succes and immemsly high casualties the armies returned back and fortfied their positions




~casualties in the caucasus offensive 500,000
~total casualties in the caucasus front 1.2 million

~casualties in the european front 300,000

[Scurvy Sea]

"To our last man, and our last shilling!"

Australia had been idle throughout the war so far. Andrew Fisher had only just been re-elected as prime minister and the size of available troops ready for deployment into the war were pathetically low.

At this point in the war, the populace of Australia was hesitant to be a part of this war, Denmark's tragic strike in Berlin had struck fear through the people of the world, this war was like no other before it. With losses already skyrocketing, landscapes morphing, and new weapons being built everyday, this war seemed more and more like it was just an opportunity to die. Whilst 25,000 soldiers had already been raised, any prospect for massive growth in recruitment after the Denmark incident seemed very unlikely. For the first portion of this war, it seemed as if the Australian army would be relying far more on mind over matter.

One that watched Australia's progress thus far in the war might assume that they had no intention whatsoever of getting involved anytime soon. It seemed all that was taking place in the nation was intense training regiments for the small number of soldiers they had to use, construction of coastal defense batteries near prominent cities, and the building of ships, both aerial and naval. For the time being, it may as well have seemed that Australia was stagnant.

The prime minister sat in his office, clutching a glass decanter holding only a portion of the bourbon originally held in it left. The curtains had been drawn tight, the room's only light emanating from a candle perched at the corner of the desk. Fisher sat in silence, swirling the amber liquid around his glass calmly in a moment of thought before being interrupted by an abrupt knock from the door.

"Enter"

The door opened up, his assistant entering the room clutching a sheet of paper in his hand. A worried expression was on the man's face as he beckoned the paper towards the prime minister. "Telegram from the press, they want to know if you're planning to authorize any action towards entering the war...like you said you would." Fisher kept silent, his glass still swirling the liquor inside as he just rested his gaze upon the paper in his hand. "...Shall I put it with the rest?" He gave a solemn nod, lifting the glass to his lips and taking a long drink as the paper was folded and stuffed away into a pocket. "The damned papers will be the death of this country, I swear it...they'll get their answer in time...We have to go about this carefully you know, don't you? Larger forces are at play here than us, how close are they to their destination so far?" "Only, hours sir. They know their orders and if everything goes smoothly, they'll relay to us once they've secured a foothold." "Very good, Ben. Please, fetch me another bottle of this would you? I can't seem to catch a wink of sleep tonight..."

Northern Coast of Italian Somalia, 12:11AM
Australian ships crawled towards the landmass in the distance. 8 Commercial ships in use by the Australian military in escort by 5 Battleships. The ships carried over 7000 men trained and equipped with Strider Legs. Ever since leaving the ports in Perth the ships stunk with the scent of gasoline. In just a short while the ships would approach the coast, and if they arrived safely the Striders onboard the ships would pile off. Torch-wielding giants heading directly for the town of Bereeda, to clear it of any Italian military presence and uproot any resenting local. If this was successful, they would create a foothold in the town and from there make their way towards the city of Bosaso.

Australia had entered the Great War. Whether her people had known it yet or not.

[Deutschess Kaiserreich]

Eastern Frontier

The attack on Berlin has awakened something in the Kaiserreich. From the grandest nobles to the lowest beggars there has emerged a hunger. A hunger for retribution for the attack on Berlin that has spurred on every German soul to fight for their Reich. Troops have been seen fighting harder on the eastern front than ever before. They have refused to give up an inch of their ground and have counter-attacked Russian gains with an aggressiveness that had not been ever seen before. The officer leading this charge was a young Erwin Rommel. Every advance the Russians made were smashed by an organized German counterattack. The forces had been disorganized from the assault in the first place and were not prepared for Rommel's aggressiveness. He attacked with a fury driving them back to the eastern frontier but he was bogged down by massive Russian artillery strikes. He would have to wait...

German Losses

7,000 men

12 Mechs

3 Wilheim class Airships

Mediterranean front.


The Imperial Air fleet apporaches it's target.

With the defeat of the Italians in the battle of Rhodes, the Kaiserreich no longer could stand idly by. Richthofen stared at the endless waves of the desert. He covered his mouth with his handkerchief as a wave of dust hit the carrier ship rocking the airship slightly. The heat was intense for the many crew members that had spent most of their service in the temperate climates of the Prussian frontier. Richthofen had fought in the desserts in the early days to pacify the many native savages that lived here. He had received an iron cross for his operations that had saved a Christian church from those godless savages. He remembered the day where he first boarded a scout plane with a sniper rifle to pick off the butt naked feeling savages. Ever since that ride he had become obsessed with the air and had spurred on German air engineering to one the best in the world, rivaled only by the royal air force.

However, it was this image of arrogance and supremacy that had allowed the attack on Berlin to be so successful. He swore that day that he would never allow something like this to happen again. He had been preparing the Kaiserreich's vengeance for the attack but the defeat of their allies at Rhoades had delayed their ambitions for revenge. Most of the Imperial airforce had been diverted to the African front to fight the French and British forces there. There was a very strong danger that this might cause a direct conflict with the greater powers but Britan had violated Germany's offerings of no conflict. In the first months of the war, the Kaiserreich had been neutral and only intervened when it's safety had been endangered by the Russians and the pleas of their allies. Every action had been taken in their defense and somehow... SOMEHOW! The British had the balls to support war criminals and brigades. They dared to place troops in rightful German land and, if the intelligence reports were to be believed, had placed explosives in the Keil canal! This was a direct act of war and the Kaiserreich would strike back... but how? They couldn't fight on two fronts. As Richthofen saw it, the Kaiserreich had two choices... one, Destroy Russia now and sue for peace or... Strikethrough Belgium to avoid the Frenchies border forts and march on Paris. Richthofen had thought the latter was the best option, after all a protracted war in the freezing winters of Russia were not desirable. There was a third and even crazier plan... invade Britan. The man that proposed that had been sacked from the central staff.

Richthofen pulled a lighter to the cigar in his mouth but the voice of his assistant interrupted him. He sighed as he plucked the cigar out of mouth a turned around to the see his assistant struggling in the hot deserts of Libya. She had been a city girl most of her life and had never been out of Prussia before. She clearly hated this weather and had taken it out on some poor pilots earlier. Richthofen should have stopped her but he had been scared off when he made eye contact with her. There a certain flame in her eyes. One that told you "Beware, Ye dragons here".

"What is it, Martha?" Richthofen asked as he stuffed his lighter into his flight jacket and removed the shades he was wearing.

"You are receiving a letter from the Kaiser himself."

"Ah, Thorugh this new-fangled thing called... radio. Right?"

"Yes, He requests your presence immediately."

"I guess let's see what little willy has to say." Richthofen walked down the gantry and stepped onto the runway. The heat of the sun had dimmed as a group of clouds had risen over them. The air fleet was now in sight of a distant city. Richthofen turned around and asked, "I see the captain has been ordered to El Amien."

"Yes, The captain felt that the orders needed to be carried out immediately lest the allies warn our targets," Martha answered. Richthofen smiled as he stood on the runway looking at the distant siege happen. Explosions could barely be heard and the flashes of Italy's guns could also be seen. But despite the constant roar of Itlain guns the small coastal town refused to surrender. Richthofen would change that. He turned to an air marshall that was running across the deck preparing for a possible fight and told him an order that would live in infamy. An order that would set Europe and later the world alight with the ever-hungry flames of war. One that would place Germany on a precipice of either complete victory and total defeat.

"I want to send fifteen of our Bismark class cruisers forward supported by forty Gotha bombers. Send a few dozen fighters as well to be safe in case they have interceptors. Target the main British costal and defensive batteries. Send a message to our allies that we are here!"

The Air Marshall nodded and headed into the command bay to funnel his orders down to his pilots. Richtofen smiled... Vengeance for Berlin had only begun.

[Valtrona]

< STATUS UPDATE ON THE WAR >

Franco-Italian Front
The Frontlines stagnate, as the French defenders have constructed their own trench lines to prevent an Italian attack. Italians begin a continuous bombardment of the Frontlines, as they strengthen their own trenches. The Italian Airship Fleet begins bombarding military and industrial targets across France. King Emmanuel issues a formal statement:
“We will begin an air bombardment, but civilians are NOT a target. Any French civilian killed on purpose or accident will see the crew court marshaled. We are not like the Danes, we care for our enemies civilians.”

Mediterranean Front
The Battle of Rhodes was a wakeup call for the Italian High Command, as the need for naval dominance is as evident as ever. With the Royal Navy bearing down in the Mediterranean, the need for newer warships are as evident as ever. The 3 Battleships were recalled back to the Italian mainland, and the Antonio Vivaldi would return after its repairs. The Francesco Caracciolo was sent out to the Western Mediterranean along with its escort force of 4 Battleships, 6 cruisers, 14 destroyers, and a small airship Fleet.


Africa Front
Fighting in Egypt continues, especially in El Alamein. But with German reinforcements, the tide of battle will soon be turned. In East Africa, an Australian task force invaded the Horn of Africa, landing near the town of Bereeda. After fierce fighting, the Australian Striders managed to take the town, and advanced to the city of Bosaso. However, the Italian forces allow for the Australians to take the town of Bosaso, for they had a plan in mind.
Meanwhile, the Italians had secretly been plotting with the Boers of South Africa. With Italian and German weapons, the Boers revolted against the Dominion of South Africa. British soldiers massacred in various cities, and began seizing the countryside. They declared the South African Republic, and officially joined the Central Powers.

< UPDATE FROM THE HOLY SEE >
Pope Benedict XV returns to the Vatican, where he is already bombarded by his fellow Bishops and priests all demanding his attention. Giulio Boschi, Archbishop of Ferrara, managed to arrange a meeting with the Pope. In this meeting, he advised the Pope to travel and meet with the Archbishop of Armagh, Michael Logue, in an attempt to sway the Irish Catholics to reject the war. Pope Benedict XV agreed, and he immediately arranged a meeting with Archbishop Michael Logue in the Irish city of Dublin. He packed his things, remarking: “A success in Ireland may be the first step in negotiating a peace between the conflicting powers. I can’t let this opportunity slip out of our grasp. Let us be off.” The Pope, after staying only a few days in the Vatican, returns to his airship. He sets course for Dublin in the Protestant-majority UK.

[The World Capitalist Confederation]

The Javier Rocket Artillery Design

A military engineer known as Jacques Javier has just submitted his design for the Javier Rocket Artillery, with the design being fully sound. This new invention is planned to be of a very large size, about 2 or 3 times the size of a normal Swiss artillery piece (Making it about the size of an apartment building or a Krauf landship), and fire hundreds of rockets a minute. This is done through a mechanical gear made of refined steel, allowing it to grind extremely fast, whilst much of its space is taken by ammunition storage, it also uses a large amount of energy due to the mechanical gears, and so is not viable for close combat but rather for shelling and sieging. The design has been approved by the Council, and early testing has begun.